Zaldy Co, DPWH execs face graft raps, arrest

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed before the Sandiganbayan its first cases related to anomalies in flood control projects, with resigned congressman Zaldy Co as one of the respondents.

- By DAPHNE GALVEZ

One count of malversation and two counts of graft were lodged against Co, former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 4 and executives of construction firm Sunwest Inc. over the P289.5-million road dike along Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The charges are for malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents involving over P8.8 million - a non-bailable offense that can warrant life in prison under Article 217 in relation to Article 171(4) of the Revised Penal Code - and violation of Section 3(e) and 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act 3019. Assistant Ombudsman Dominic Clavano III said a panel of ombudsman prosecutors has recommended no bail for the malversation charge because the amount malversed exceeded P8.8 million.

Clavano said Co is charged with violation of Section 3(h) of RA 3019 for “receiving unwarranted financial or pecuniary benefits.”

Arrest, passport cancellation